The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-29
JINKSEY'S MISTAKE /:
And How BILLY" Found a Home
at Cedar Farm.

'Say, Jinksey, wot d. yer think Of tha
fur style! reckon she's come inter tow
TO buy the Liberty statue for somebody
New Years present, an amt quite sur
how she'll carry it home.'
Jinksey turned as his companion, rathe
disreputable looking young gentleman il
the boot blackening business, thus called
his attention to little girl about ten years
of age, who, with the most disconsolate ex
preston of face, was coming timidly ou
of the Grand Central depot. That she haC
never been in the city before one coulC
fancy from the alarm she exhibited at find
ing herself in the hurrying, bustling crowd
where the yells of the cab-drivers drowned
even the rattle of wheels on the pavement
and made what, to ears unaccustomed Il
such noises, must have sounded like the
roar Of a supposed ogre in fairy tale.
''Wanter shineF' Jinksey's friend cried
as he rushed forward in manner well cal
culated to yet further confuse the fright.
ened stranger, and pointed to her thick
shoes, which betckened intimate acquain-
tance with country roads. 'Give yer a boss
shine fur dime an two tickets to the
Eden Museum thrown in.''
''Hold on, Bill the lady's lookin' fur a
cab, an hasn't got any time to fool with
gOus OluhSSy SuOUleO, as Ne pulleQ MS
friend aside, and stepped forward with a
grotesque show Of mock politeness as if to
lead her TO one of the many vehicles that
were ranged in line at the edge of the curb
stone
The little girl looked around in be-
wildered fear, seeking some one to whom
she could appeal for protection against the
rough-appearing and decidedly oficious
boys; but in vain. The policeman had
other work on hand just then, and every
person near was soengrossed with business
or pleasure that frightened child was not
likely to attract much attention.
''Shall | show yer the way to the Bruins
Wick, or are yer waiting fur the Mayor to
come? He's jest havin' swell dinner
with particular friend of ourn, an Ireckon
he's forgot what time the cars get here"
and Billy concluded his information by
giving representation to the best of his
knowledge, Of an Indian war dance such
as he had seen at the Wild West show.
From the whrling, shrieking boy to the
hurrying pedestrians the girl gazed in |
piteous appeal until the big tears, which |
had been standing very near her eyelids |
when she emerged from the building be- |
gan to run down over the cheeks which the |
last wind Of the old year was tinging a |
blush hue.
The sight Of the crystal drops, together |
with the lmploring glances, brought Master
Billy Jackson to a standstil very suddenly,
and he cried IN an angry tone as he swung
his business es' ablishment, represented BY
box containing backing and brushes,
dangerously near his friends head:
''Wot's ther use pickin' on little girl
what amt got nobody to take her part, Tim
Jenksl Why don't you let her alone while
she finds whoever she's lool1in' fora"
Il amt pickin' on her." Jinksey replied,
emphatically, for his conscience was prick
ing him very sharply because of the part
he had played in calling forth the tears.
i'Say, sis, tell US where you wanter go, an
We'll take you there, il ips plum over to
Hopoken."
The child walked on as if anxious to es-
cape from those whom she quite naturally
looked upon as her tormentors, and the
boys followed her contritely, each trying to
atone by friendly speeches for the distress
he had caused.
Don't cry, sissy; we won't cut up rough
any more, an we wouldn't "a done it at the
start if we'd "a knowed you felt so bad. ~
Billy pleaded, after they had followed her II
as far as Fifth avenue, and she stood on
the corner undecided which way to turn.
w mere IS IL yer Wanter g0.' ,
Grandfather wrote that he'd come for
me when the cars got in, and can't find ]
him anywhere. l was going home with
him TO stay week, and now he's lost- I
he's" I
1t was as if giving words to her trouble
had caused it to increase, and she burst ,
into such a food of tears that the bows {
began in turn to look alarmed
eli Won hadn't polSad finn Of bar fr.4 ia | ,
never said a word" Master Jackson cried. {
reproachfully, and looking very much as if
ne would like to whip somebody or get '
whipped, as sort o. safety-valve for the '
indignation which had been aroused by his 7
own behavior. {,
Jinksey probably realized that the reproof f
was well merited, even though he had no,
begun the cruel sport, for he made no angry Z
reply, as would have been the case under v
other circumstances, but devoted his entire E
attention to soothing the child's grief. C
''See here" he said. as he laid his some o
what soiled hand kindly on her shoulder n
''Pm mighty sorry we made yer feel bad. u
an we won't even zip ag'in if that'll make
1t square; but If YOU could tell US where D
you live, or where ther old mani mean h
yer gran'father-lives jest as likely as mot Il
We could help you somen h
81 came from Saybrook, and grandfather,s
farm is somewhere in q place they call 7,
Long Island.'
didn't you have anybody with your' :,
mo; he was going to meet me at tse =.
depot, so mother thought I could come a
alone" and now the grief was represented 7
by sobs, rather than tears, so consoling was y
the show of sympathy made by her COM h
panions. What will dol How can Ifipd =,
himln
'Jinksey an Pll have to fix that some -
way; but don't know jest how vet. Wots ii
yer namel" =
''Daisy Pratt. an I've got TWENTY-FIVE
cents that are all my own, tied up in nv P
=
''W hatl' Jinksey screamed in astonish-
nent, 'you cryin' with that much money n,
n yer pocket Ssyi s'posen we all 90 ~
lown to Dutch Jake's, and have high old n,
supper. cause its the night before New 81
Year'sl That would make her feel better. IL
wouldn't it, Billys'
'sWot'er yo1 talkin' about, Tim Jenksi ot
Us her gran'father she wants, not one o. nj
hem fifteen cent Spreads ST
tsWell, il she can't find him hadn't she or
'etter have good square support" NJ
Master Jackson cast one glance, which hF
ras intended 20 be sarcastic. at his friend. Ii,
nd then, igncring him entirely, turned his